Stormalong Happy Holidays

With Thanksgiving upon us, we turn our attention to family, food and tradition, even though this year has been anything but traditional. It is a time to pair food and drink, set the table festively and enjoy conversations of all kinds. People come together (six feet apart of course) to reignite memories of their past as well as making new memories. Within all of this holiday festivity, we tend to share new found offerings that others might enjoy. And it is with that idea in mind that I introduce Happy Holidays.
Shannon Edgar founded Stormalong Cider in 2014 in Sherborn, Massachusetts within the acreage of what was the largest refined cider mill of the late 1800’s. Back then, they exported a “champagne cider” to England and other locations in Europe. At the time, owner Jonathon Holbrook built his hard cider empire with the aid of railroad freight cars loaded with apples coming to his mill. Things were going great for Jonathan until Prohibition hit putting an end to the “Roaring 20’s” and alcohol. By 1930, the Sherborn Cider Mill was closed. With Sherborn’s rich legacy, a hard cider industry blossoming and access to mighty good apples, Shannon realized a business was waiting to take shape. The Stormalong name comes from Captain Alfred Stormalong who was nicknamed The Paul Bunyan of the Sea. With the history of the cider mills delivering throughout Europe by sea, Edgar thought the Stormalong figurehead fit. In 2017, Stormalong opened a new production facility in Leominster, MA allowing them to press 20,000 gallons of cider a day with the aid of New England Apple Products existing capabilities. With delicious core ciders called Legendary Dry, Mass Appeal, Light of Day and Red Skies At Night, you can see why Stormalong is gaining popularity. You can read about their story and their offerings at Stormalong.com
Happy Holidays is a hazy golden hard cider with spices to go with your Thanksgiving food pairing. Stormalong prides itself in choosing heirloom apples to blend with traditional varieties to create smooth dryness variations. Their ciders are then fermented and aged to bring out subtle notes of character. Some are aged in oak barrels from Bully Boy Distilleries. Happy Holidays has an additional spice quality using allspice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and organic brown sugar. Aromas are profoundly sweet and spices are all around. Tastes are akin to regular spiced cider you find around this time of year but with tons more clean qualities. Happy Holidays is initial sweet but finishes on the dryer side at the end of your sips. The 5.2% ABV is well hidden behind this clean cider.
You can find your four pack of Stormalong Happy Holidays at Case-n-Keg in Meredith as well as other fine beer providers. We welcome Stormalong to NH and wish them much success here. Make sure you try all of their delicious cider flavors… you might be making a new tradition!